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Shortfall in rent

System
Posts: 97 Scope online community team
This discussion was created from comments split from: Can I afford to privately rent?.
Comments
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I live in a privately rented flat. I have mental health conditions and I am on LCWRA and PIP.
To get the flat (and previous rented flats) I had to pass credit checks and various other checks and references including references from previous landlords. I also had to come up with one months rent in advance, a "security deposit" of £2000, and of course pay for a removal van to transport all my furniture and other possessions. On top of that, my LHA doesn't cover my rent -- I pay £350 a month extra that I have to come up with out of my PIP.
I've been in my flat coming up three years. Never missed a rent payment, never caused any trouble. But now my landlord is not sure whether they will renew the tenancy or not because they might wish to renovate the flat instead. If I am able to renew the tenancy, I'll be looking at a rent increase of at least 10%. But Local Housing Allowance rates have not been increased since around 2020.
It's very, very tough. I'd love to have a council flat. I've just not managed to get one. -
StillIRise said:On top of that, my LHA doesn't cover my rent -- I pay £350 a month extra that I have to come up with out of my PIP.Wow that's a massive shortfall in rent. If this is making you're struggle financially then are you aware that you can apply for a discretionary housing payment. (DHP)You will need to apply through your local Authority. It's not guarateed but worth a try. If awarded it's only for a short period of time before you need to reapply. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
poppy123456 said:StillIRise said:On top of that, my LHA doesn't cover my rent -- I pay £350 a month extra that I have to come up with out of my PIP.Wow that's a massive shortfall in rent. If this is making you're struggle financially then are you aware that you can apply for a discretionary housing payment. (DHP)You will need to apply through your local Authority. It's not guarateed but worth a try. If awarded it's only for a short period of time before you need to reapply. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments
I've actually not even bothered applying for a discretionary housing payment as I'd assumed they barely give them out. But I guess it can't hurt to try. What I might do is wait until I get the renewal terms for my flat and apply for the DHP on the grounds that I've got a rent increase and unless I pay it would end up potentially homeless. -
StillIRise said:poppy123456 said:StillIRise said:On top of that, my LHA doesn't cover my rent -- I pay £350 a month extra that I have to come up with out of my PIP.Wow that's a massive shortfall in rent. If this is making you're struggle financially then are you aware that you can apply for a discretionary housing payment. (DHP)You will need to apply through your local Authority. It's not guarateed but worth a try. If awarded it's only for a short period of time before you need to reapply. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments
I've actually not even bothered applying for a discretionary housing payment as I'd assumed they barely give them out. But I guess it can't hurt to try. What I might do is wait until I get the renewal terms for my flat and apply for the DHP on the grounds that I've got a rent increase and unless I pay it would end up potentially homeless.I live in a privately rented 2 bed house and my shortfall is £35/month. That's because of an increase from April. Before that it was £10/month.If this causes financial hardship then i wouldn't wait to apply, i would do it ASAP. You may also want to get some help with the form because it's quite complex.I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
poppy123456 said:StillIRise said:poppy123456 said:StillIRise said:On top of that, my LHA doesn't cover my rent -- I pay £350 a month extra that I have to come up with out of my PIP.Wow that's a massive shortfall in rent. If this is making you're struggle financially then are you aware that you can apply for a discretionary housing payment. (DHP)You will need to apply through your local Authority. It's not guarateed but worth a try. If awarded it's only for a short period of time before you need to reapply. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments
I've actually not even bothered applying for a discretionary housing payment as I'd assumed they barely give them out. But I guess it can't hurt to try. What I might do is wait until I get the renewal terms for my flat and apply for the DHP on the grounds that I've got a rent increase and unless I pay it would end up potentially homeless.I live in a privately rented 2 bed house and my shortfall is £35/month. That's because of an increase from April. Before that it was £10/month.If this causes financial hardship then i wouldn't wait to apply, i would do it ASAP. You may also want to get some help with the form because it's quite complex.
I may look into DHP. I've just always assumed it would be over-subscribed and all their funds would already have been allocated as so many people are in my situation re the shortfall. -
I'm very reluctant to reveal my location, i'm sorry. I'm not near London though. With a DHP you shouldn't assume anything. I applied for one some years ago and didn't think i would get it but i did.I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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@StillIRise
Good morning I hope your well, I can’t believe the massive amount you are having to pay towards your rent, it’s a massive amount to put yourself.
The flat I was previously in was privately rented there was also a shortfall, I applied for DHP quite a few times and always got it.
I wish you luck and hope you can get the help to. -
It's very similar in my area @StillIRise. There's around £300 shortfall on the most affordable of properties (which are scarce in supply and snapped up quickly). Typically they can be around £500 higher than the LHA.
Do look into applying for a DHP, especially if they increase your rent even further. Please let us know how you get on.
Community Manager
Scope -
Lou67 said:@StillIRise
Good morning I hope your well, I can’t believe the massive amount you are having to pay towards your rent, it’s a massive amount to put yourself.
The flat I was previously in was privately rented there was also a shortfall, I applied for DHP quite a few times and always got it.
I wish you luck and hope you can get the help to. -
Adrian_Scope said:It's very similar in my area @StillIRise. There's around £300 shortfall on the most affordable of properties (which are scarce in supply and snapped up quickly). Typically they can be around £500 higher than the LHA.
Do look into applying for a DHP, especially if they increase your rent even further. Please let us know how you get on.
I am looking into applying for DHP and will see how it goes. -
StillIRise said:Adrian_Scope said:It's very similar in my area @StillIRise. There's around £300 shortfall on the most affordable of properties (which are scarce in supply and snapped up quickly). Typically they can be around £500 higher than the LHA.
Do look into applying for a DHP, especially if they increase your rent even further. Please let us know how you get on.
I am looking into applying for DHP and will see how it goes. -
DHP*
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Just want to check if you're calculating the shortfall correctly? LHA is calculated in weeks, but rent is usually paid per calendar month. So you have to multiply the LHA allowance by 52, then divide it by 12 to find the monthly total.
I had a shortfall of around £100 a month for a studio flat for years. Couldn't share due to my conditions but wasn't allowed one-bed rate due to age. When I eventually qualified for PIP, I got one-bed rate and the LHA did cover my full rent for the first time. But since then the rent has gone up so now there's a slight shortfall again.
It does seem odd that they haven't updated LHA recently. I definitely don't envy anyone having to pay London prices. -
StillIRise said:Lou67 said:@StillIRise
Good morning I hope your well, I can’t believe the massive amount you are having to pay towards your rent, it’s a massive amount to put yourself.
The flat I was previously in was privately rented there was also a shortfall, I applied for DHP quite a few times and always got it.
I wish you luck and hope you can get the help to.One of the reasons why I advised getting some help with the forms because they are so complex.Someone with experience in filling them out will know exactly what to put. You will also need to give details of all your income and expenses, including bills, shopping etc etc.I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
Hi I think it’s definitely worth applying, I might be wrong but when I used to get it I’m sure it was for 3 months then you had to reapply.
As Poppy said it could be better if you got help to fill it in.
I didn’t actually get help but after the first time filling it out I kept a copy so it was a bit easier the next time. -
OverlyAnxious said:Just want to check if you're calculating the shortfall correctly? LHA is calculated in weeks, but rent is usually paid per calendar month. So you have to multiply the LHA allowance by 52, then divide it by 12 to find the monthly total.
I had a shortfall of around £100 a month for a studio flat for years. Couldn't share due to my conditions but wasn't allowed one-bed rate due to age. When I eventually qualified for PIP, I got one-bed rate and the LHA did cover my full rent for the first time. But since then the rent has gone up so now there's a slight shortfall again.
It does seem odd that they haven't updated LHA recently. I definitely don't envy anyone having to pay London prices. -
poppy123456 said:StillIRise said:Lou67 said:@StillIRise
Good morning I hope your well, I can’t believe the massive amount you are having to pay towards your rent, it’s a massive amount to put yourself.
The flat I was previously in was privately rented there was also a shortfall, I applied for DHP quite a few times and always got it.
I wish you luck and hope you can get the help to.One of the reasons why I advised getting some help with the forms because they are so complex.Someone with experience in filling them out will know exactly what to put. You will also need to give details of all your income and expenses, including bills, shopping etc etc. -
StillIRise said:OverlyAnxious said:Just want to check if you're calculating the shortfall correctly? LHA is calculated in weeks, but rent is usually paid per calendar month. So you have to multiply the LHA allowance by 52, then divide it by 12 to find the monthly total.
I had a shortfall of around £100 a month for a studio flat for years. Couldn't share due to my conditions but wasn't allowed one-bed rate due to age. When I eventually qualified for PIP, I got one-bed rate and the LHA did cover my full rent for the first time. But since then the rent has gone up so now there's a slight shortfall again.
It does seem odd that they haven't updated LHA recently. I definitely don't envy anyone having to pay London prices.
I don't think overlyAnxious meant it to be that way at all, at least i don't see it that way. It's often very difficult to read tone through a text because there is no tone. I've always found to them to be a very helpful and pleasant person.
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
StillIRise said:This comes across as a little patronising, although I'm sure unintentionally so. I am indeed able to do basic maths.
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